Bus bar supporting clamp



5, 1944. H. A. SAMER 2,356,006

BUS BAR SUPPORTING CLAMP Filed April 13, 1943 INVENTOR 27- JiezzryAfarmer Patented Aug. 15, 1944 I 2350.060 nUs mm surroanso mm Henry A.Samar, Ludlow, 1b., assignmto The Trumbull Electric ManufacturingCompany,

l'lainville, Conn.,

a corporation of Connecticut Application April 13, 194;, Serial No.482,858

9 Claims.

My invention relates to power distribution systems such as are largelyused in large industrial plants and which embody enclosed ducts orhouslugs for the multiple bus bars. These systems may employ two, threeor more flat type which must be supported at intervals within the ductin such a way as to maintain proper relation to each other and to thewalls of the duct. The duct itself for economical reasons of courseshould require as little metal as possible, and the entire structureshould be strong enough to withstand vibration or distortion either fromexternal forces or by reason of electrical action. The system must alsobe capable of convenient installation and modification when required.

I have accordingly endeavored to provide a structure to meet theserequirements in a practical and satisfactory manner.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a fragment of a bus bar duct systemshowing one of the supporting clamp frames embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing parts of one of theframes.

Fig. 3 is a pers tive view of the outer half of an individual insulatingcollar or sleeve for a bus bar.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the inner half of the insulating sleevefor a bus bar.

The drawing shows the invention supporting twelve bus bars, eachnumbered l, but it should be understood that the device may be designedto support any number-either more or less.

The preferred form of duct has two main channel-like parts I, a, each ofwhich has a flange it on each of its opposite sides and the two partsare held together by molding strips such as H, the edges of whichembrace the adjacent flanges In of the main parts.

The supporting clamp frames are arranged at suitable intervalslengthwise of the duct. Each frame is formed of sheet metal with abottom plate l2 and side bars l2, II. The bottom plate has holes II fordevices such as screwsior fastening it to the bottom part I of the duct.The side bars have screw seated bosses ll which extend between flangesII, II. The molding strip is secured in place by screws II which extendthrough it between the flanges and are screwed into the bosses ll. Whenadditional rigidity is required, the side bars may be bolted to the ductat the holes l'l.

The bottom plate l2 has an upstanding flange l8, and the sidebars haveinturned flanges ll, I! which are weldedto the flange II at the cornersbus bars of the sheath. The lower slotted at its ends rests on theflanges l9 and indirectly-supports the lower edges of the bus bars. Eachbus bar is preferably enclosed in an insulating sheath such as feltedasbestos 22 except at the take-off and junction points. At the placeswhere the bus bars are supported by the clamp frames, each bus bar ispreferably protected by additional insulation formed of split insulatingsleeves. These sleeves are formed of molded composition, one part 21having flanges fitting within the flanges of the other part 24-. Thecentral walls 25, 26 fit snugly against the sides of the enclosed busbar sheath but the ends 21, 22 are spaced apart somewhat from thesheath. The upper and lower flanges of the outer sleeve part 24 havegrooves and the inner part 23 has ribs 30 which flt in the grooves. Theinner part 23 has walls ll near the central portion which engage theupper and lower edges of the bus bar flange of the sleeve part 24 fit onopposite sides of the :0, n. A cross bar 2| the flange ll between haslugs 32, 32 which cross bar 2i to position the sleeve.

' position the wedges.

when all of the sleeves have been adjusted to their proper positions,the wedges II, 38 are forced into place along the tapered flanges it, I!of the frame so as to force the bus bars toward each other and hold themsnugly and prevent vibration. Each wedge has flanges 34 which overlapthe tapered edges of the side bars to properly when the wedges are inplace, the cross bar It is placed in position over the upper ends of thewedges and bolted to the side bars as shown in Fig. 1. The upper edge ofsleeve part 24 is preferably provided with lugs 22 to corset with theedges assist in holding the parts in position. These insulating sleevescompletely protect the bus bar sheaths and electrically shield the busbars.

The supporting frame is practical to make and easy to assembly andprovides a strong and reliable clamplng means. The complete duct systemis rigid and safe.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that the clamping frame is adaptedto be installed in any suitable form of duct at any and that when theframe is secured to the bus bars and to the duct the entire system isreen'forced against twisting or distortion and the bus bars are held intheir proper positions.

1 claim:

1. A bus bar supporting clamp comprising a frame having tapered sidebars, wedges for coacting with said side bars and means connecting ofthe cross bar It and place along its length the side bars of the frameand holding the wedges in place.

2. A bus bar supporting clamp comprising a U-shaped frame having taperedguide members, wedges for coacting with said guide members to press thebus bars together and means for holding the wedges in place.

3. A bus bar supporting clamp comprising a U-shaped frame having sidebars at least one of which is tapered, a wedge for coacting with saidtapered side bar and means for holding said wedge in place.

4. A bus bar supporting clamp comprising a. U-shaped frame having spacedside bars, at least one of which is a tapered guide member, a wedgecoacting with said guide member and a cross tie member connecting theside bars of the tram and holding th wedge in place.

5. A bus bar supporting clamp comprising a U-shaped frame having taperedguide members, wedges for coacting with said guide members and a crosstie member connecting the sides of the frame and holding the wedges inplace.

6. A device for supporting a plurality of bus bars in spacedrelationship in a bus duct including a frame having bottom'and sidewalls, an upstanding flange on the bottom wall, a flat support on theupper edge of the flange, a. plurality of insulating telescopingsectional sleeve members on said support side by side for receiving busbars and wedge members coacting with said side walls for forcing thesleeve sections toward each other and for clamping the bus barstherebetween.

'7. A device for supporting a plurality of bus bars in spacedrelationship in a bus duct including a frame having bottom and sidewalls, an

upstanding flange on the bottom' wall, a. flat sup port on the upperedge of the flange, a plurality of insulating telescoping sectionalsleeve members positioned on said support side by side for receiving busbars, wedge members coacting with said side walls for forcing the sleevemembers toward each other and for clamping the bus bars therebetween andmeans on the insulating sleeve members for guiding said members toproper position on the support.

8. A device for supporting a plurality of bus bars in spacedrelationship in a bus duct including a frame having bottom and sidewalls, an upstanding flange on the bottom wall, a flat support on theupper edge of the flange, a. plurality of insulating telescopingsectional sleeve members on said support side by side for receiving busbars, wedge members coacting with said side walls for forcing the sleevesections toward each other and for clamping the bus bars therebetweenand a bar connecting the top-01' said side walls and positionedtransversely of the top of the sleeve members for securing the wedgesand sleeve members in position.

9. As an article of manufacture, an insulating sleeve for a flat bus barcomprising telescoping sectional members, each member having a wallportion and flanges at the top and bottom edges thereof, each wallhaving an inner central portion protruding beyond the plane of the wall,and

each of the flanges of one member having an inner central portionprotruding beyond the plane of-the flange and forming a continuation ofthe central protruding portion oi the wall.

HENRY A. SALIER.

